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Volunteering for Equine at the Olympics

February 13, 2020 by Christine Meunier

I was recently made aware of a link that was shared through Equestrian Australia. This was on their Facebook page. The link was calling for volunteers to apply to help out with the horse side of things at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Volunteering for equine at the Olympics? Perhaps this is something that I should have on my bucket list!

  • Volunteering for Equine at the Olympics | Equus Education
Volunteering for Equine at the Olympics | Equus Education

Now I think the deadline for volunteering has already passed, but I thought it a great topic to explore in a blog post. There are many, many horse events that you can volunteer for around the world. These would:

  • provide something to add to the resume
  • allow you to develop new contacts in the Equine Industry
  • help you to build on experience and gain clarity on what you want to focus on

I have volunteered previously for Equitana and loved it! Plus I learned a lot about horse careers and was able to develop further blog posts for this site. As a volunteer for Riding for the Disabled whilst in High School, I also developed skills and networks that have helped to further my equine career.

Volunteering for Equine at the Olympics

If ever you can manage it, consider the value of volunteering for a horse event – a one off or ongoing. Perhaps the deadline for volunteering for equine at the Olympics has passed for 2020, but why not consider the opportunity for 2024? Volunteering is beneficial to those who are seeking the volunteers. It will also be rewarding to you on many levels.

“We have almost forgotten how strange a thing it is that so huge and powerful and intelligent an animal as a horse should allow another, and far more feeble animal, to ride upon its back.” – Peter Gray

Filed Under: Event, Travel, Volunteer

3 Equine Initiatives you can Volunteer for

April 4, 2018 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

3 Equine Initiatives You Can Volunteer For | Equus Education
3 Equine Initiatives You Can Volunteer For | Equus Education

One of the greatest ways to gain experience and build contacts is to volunteer.  In the equine industry there are many different initiatives that you can volunteer for.  Some you will need experience for, others it’s all about availability and enthusiasm!  And many offer training if you’re going to volunteer your time.  So let’s take a look at 3 equine initiatives you can volunteer for.

  • Horse riding organisations and businesses.  There are many places that are happy to provide you with training – maybe even riding lessons – if you volunteer your time and energy.  Your local riding school may be up for this!
    In Australia, Riding for the Disabled runs on volunteers.  As a 17 year old, I spent 1 day a month volunteering my time to help groom, tack up and lead ponies for young disabled riders.  It was an incredible experience and a great way to help out.
  • The Equitarian Initiative.  Equus Education has explored this incredible setup.  As someone who knows horses and particularly has skills regarding their health, you can volunteer your time and knowledge for third world countries.
    For locations that often make their livelihood from their horses, their health is important.  Ignorance and poverty can detrimentally affect how horses, donkeys and mules are cared for.
    This setup focuses on visiting third world countries, educating owners and caring for the equines under their care.  Consider farriery work, worming, vaccinations, dental work, bandaging and managing parasites.  All of these areas and more are covered depending on the experience of the volunteers involved.
  • Horse events.  In Australia we have a massive horse event known as Equitana.  There are many different events relating to horses throughout the world.  They may focus on horse riding, clothing, education, health care or something else.
    Many of these events run on volunteers.  This may involve accepting entry tickets, directing people, moving horses between locations, manning stalls or even serving food.  Perhaps a volunteer needs to coordinate everyone else who is volunteering their time and skills!

So there you have it.  3 equine initiatives you can volunteer for.  If you make yourself aware of all the equine volunteering possibilities locally and even overseas, this will help you to determine what you may be able to do to build your horse resume and skills.  Just think of the experience you’ll gain and the contacts you will make!

Want to explore other possibilities?  Check out the volunteer category of posts on this site.

Filed Under: Event, Volunteer

A Roving Equine Volunteer Setup

March 7, 2018 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I recently found out about a retired husband and wife couple who drive around Australia and support churches as they’re able to.  They stop in for a short period and help with church services and tending to the congregation’s needs.  They use their passions and skills to help churches that are between pastors or need help in other ways.  And I got to thinking, why not an equine volunteer setup that does something similar?

A Roving Equine Volunteer Setup | Equus Education
A Roving Equine Volunteer Setup | Equus Education

Retired and with a caravan, these people can come and go as they please.  They are currently helping out 2 days a week at my local church.  They then use the other 5 days to explore the area.  Perhaps the equine volunteer work would run differently.  Maybe similar to tasks in the Farm Army, volunteers could make themselves available for the length of a project – like a yearling sale preparation or fencing a paddock.  In return for their labour, they are maybe provided with food and accommodation.  They get to build on their resume whilst offering their skills and energy.  And just maybe, they get to travel the state or country whilst doing so.

I would love to check out different horse properties this way!  I am sure as with many horse related activities, a waiver of sorts would need to be signed.  This would be prior to commencement of work.  But how wonderful would it be if such an equine volunteer program existed?  As a struggling or newly establishing horse business or property, you could put in a request for a volunteer/s and outline the work that would be needed.  Then for a set period of time you have some hands to help out with a horse related project!

“But what truly horsey girls discover in the end is that boyfriends, husbands, children, and careers are the substitute – for horses.” ― Jane Smiley

Filed Under: Travel, Volunteer

Equidays in New Zealand

November 8, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

Equidays is an Equestrian Event in New Zealand | Equus Education
Equidays is an Equestrian Event in New Zealand | Equus Education

Recently I saw reference to Derriere Equestrian having had a successful time at Equidays in New Zealand.  Curious I checked out the event to find out what it was exactly.  Maybe you’re familiar with Australia’s Equitana or you know about other horse events around the world.  Well here’s another one to add to your calendars!

It’s too late for 2017, seeing as the event was run over October.  But if ever you’re planning a visit to New Zealand, perhaps you’d like to time it with the running of Equidays.  This event has an equestrian focus in particular.  As it says on their site:

“Equidays is New Zealand’s premier equine event, featuring three-plus days of exciting equestrian action.  With over 40 hours of clinics each day, elite competitions, three night shows and over 200 exhibitors, Equidays is a must for equine enthusiasts everywhere.

The four pillars of Equidays – educate, equip, empower and entertain – come together to bring you the very best in equestrian.”

The show features clinicians, dressage, show jumping and night shows.  So if you’re an equestrian fanatic, it may be worth checking out future Equidays events!  You can keep up to date on their events via Facebook  You may also be interested to know there is a South Island Edition.

Equidays Equestrian Event

If like me you love a horse event for the ability to add to your resume, then you’ll be pleased to know that they take volunteers.  The submission forms are currently closed off as the 2017 event has just happened.  You can keep it in mind for future events, however!

For those who are looking for accommodation for the event, they may be pleased to know that camping is available on site!  This may help to keep the travelling budget low 😉  Planning a trip to NZ in the next couple of years?  Why not try to date it around an Equidays event?

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Filed Under: Event, Travel, Volunteer

The Farm Army and Equine Volunteer Work

November 3, 2017 by Christine Meunier Leave a Comment

I often listen to Vision Radio and hear an advert that looks for agricultural volunteers.  The Farm Army has been created to help Australian farmers in many varying capacities.  The idea is that people with skills, enthusiasm and time can come along and help out on farms in areas that they may be able to do so.

A contract fencer for example may be able to volunteer some time to help a particular farmer to setup a new fence line.  Someone who knows how to check and feed stock can farm sit for a week whilst the farm owners have some time off.  It’s hay season and extra pairs of hands to stack bales of hay in exchange for a meal are welcomed.  A knowledgeable horse person is needed to feed stock and keep an eye on pregnant mares.  I love this concept!  So why not something similar that relates to equine volunteer work?

The Farm Army and Equine Volunteer Work | Equus Education
The Farm Army and Equine Volunteer Work | Equus Education

The Farm Army and Equine Volunteer Work

Firstly, there are some available jobs on Farm Army that do involve horses.  So if you’re an Aussie or thinking of visiting Australia for a spell, why not have a look at their website?  You can even sign up for notifications!

Secondly, any place where you can build up horse experience and skills can be great for your resume!  Plus volunteering to be available is a networking opportunity that can also land you paid work in time.  So if you are in Australia, make note of this site for potential holidays/chances to do something horsey!

And if you’re not, consider the concept and how it may be applied in your local area.  What if there was a website that focused on horse properties that needed volunteers?  This could be in exchange for a meal and somewhere to sleep.  Sounds pretty appealing to me!  Perhaps you’re the person to setup such an initiative!

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Filed Under: Travel, Volunteer

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